Multiple lumen crimp

ABSTRACT

A crimp defines separate parallel bores extending therethrough to receive a wire or cable portion. The crimp has a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of circumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp. Thus, the flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of the crimp and the bone. A design of crimping pliers for use with the crimp is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surgically implanted orthopedic cables are for the purpose of retainingand positioning bones and bone portions within a patient to support thebones in a desired position and to permit healing to take placefollowing surgery. Such surgical cables and wires are generallyconnected together by a crimp, which is crushable by crimping pliers forcrimp retention. See for example, Songer et al. U.S. Pat. Nos.4,966,600; 5,116,340; 5,536,270; and Kilpela et al. U.S. Pat. Nos.5,415,658 and 5,649,927. Also, the Dall-Miles crimp is a crushable crimphaving a pair of bores extending therethrough to receive cable or wireand to retain them when the crimp is crushed.

It is desirable to maximize the capability of crimps to be retained in asingle, predetermined position against a bone after it has been appliedto one or more cables, to hold the cable and crimp under tension in apredetermined position. It is also desirable for such a crimp tocollapse with a decreased tool force, while at the same time retaining ahighly efficient “hold” of the crimp on the cable. Such crimps alsodesirably retain a low profile as they rest on the bone, in a mannerdescribed in the previously cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,927.

By this invention, a crimp is provided which exhibits the aboveadvantages, for more effective surgical utility.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, a malleable metal crimp is providedfor securing a plurality of wire or cable portions together, typicallyfor securing bones together in a desired position as part of orthopedicsurgery. The crimp defines a pair of separate, parallel bores extendingthrough the crimp, to each receive a wire or cable portion. The crimphas a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair ofcircumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges which arerespectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp. Thus, theflanges may rest against the bone while providing spacing for jaws ofcrimping pliers between a central portion of the crimp and the bone.Thus, such a crimp may be tightly secured to tensioned cable withcrushing to secure the cable (or wire) under the desired tension,without significant loss of tension after the crimping pliers arewithdrawn.

Preferably, the flanges of the crimp each define at least one pointedtooth for engaging a bone, to resist slippage of the crimp relative tothe bone. Typically, four pointed teeth are provided, one adjacent toeach corner of the crimp.

It is also preferred for the crimp to carry a central, external groove,formed on the crimp parallel to the bores and between the crimp ends forthe purpose of facilitating collapse of the crimp. Such grooves canallow a significantly decreased tool force required to successfullycollapse the crimp and to secure it onto the cable or wire.Additionally, such grooves can provide more efficient holding of thecable or wire by the crimp after it has been collapsed.

Preferably, the flanges of the crimp each define a circumferential angleabout the nearest bore to each respective flange of about 30 to 90degrees. Also, the respective centers of the flanges (the point withinthe flange which, on balance, is farthest spaced from the edges of theflange) are each preferably positioned to one side of a plane whichencloses both longitudinal axes of the bores. In other words, from anend view of the crimp, the flanges appear to be directed downwardly,toward the bone on which the flange rests in the typical position of useof the flange.

Additionally, special crimping pliers may be used for crushing the crimpof this invention and applying it into gripping relation on cable orwire. Such crimping pliers comprise a pivotally connected pair ofhandles, each of the handles connecting to one of a pair of interactingjaw portions at the end of each of the handles, to form a pliers jaw forcrushing cable/wire crimps which are positioned between the interactingjaw portions. One or both of the jaw portions may be pivotally connectedto the handles, in a known configuration for the design of crimpingpliers.

By this invention, one of the jaw portions comprises a pair of sidewallsand spaced, crimp retaining prongs, which sidewalls define a crimp spacebetween the retaining prongs. The other of the jaw portions defines asingle crimp gripping and crushing prong, which is positioned to movetoward the crimp space as the jaw portions are pivoted to a closed,crimp-crushing position. Specifically, the spacing of the pair of crimpretaining prongs and dimensions of the single crimp gripping andcrushing prong may be such that the crimp gripping and crushing prongscan enter into the crimp space when the crimping jaws are closed.

It is preferable for the crimp-retaining prongs to define outer walls ofa pair of transversely extending crimp retaining troughs, although, ifdesired, the pair of troughs may comprise sections of a single trough asan equivalent structure. The crimp space is preferably defined by alongitudinally extending trough in one of the jaw portions, whichlongitudinally extending trough extends rearwardly along the jaw portionbeyond the crimp space, and which has a floor that is deeper than thefloor or floors of the transversely extending crimp retaining troughs.This longitudinally extending trough may be sized to receive the otherjaw, including the single, crimping and crushing prong or projection.Specifically, this other jaw, which is typically the upper jaw of thecrimping pliers, may comprise a piece of a single plate which, in turn,defines the single crimp gripping and crushing prong or projection.

Thus a double bore crimp may be provided having a firmly retainedposition on a bone, which retention is resistant to lateral movementbecause of the presence of pointed teeth that engage the bone to resistslippage of the crimp. Furthermore, the crimp may be more easily crushedwith lower crushing force exerted by crimping pliers or the like, whileretention of wires and/or cables inserted in the bores may remain verystrong and even may be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, FIG. 1 an elevational view, taken partly in transversesection, of a crimp in accordance with this invention, shown to beseated on a bone;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2—2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, taken partly in section, along line 4—4of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of crimping pliers which have been adapted for usewith the crimp of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, perspective view of the crimp-crushing jaws ofthe pliers of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the crimping jaws of FIG. 6,shown to be holding the crimp of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of another embodimentof the crimping jaws of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the crimping jaws ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, schematic, front elevational view of thecrimping pliers of FIG. 8, showing the interaction between the two jaws;

FIG. 11 is a similar front elevational view of a modification of thecrimping jaws from that shown in FIGS. 8-10, with the crimping pliersbeing otherwise similar to those figures; and

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of crimping pliers of thisinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, malleable metal crimp 10 is shown, beingmade of a conventional crimp alloy suitable for the purpose.

As shown, crimp 10 has a crimp body 12 that defines a pair of separate,parallel bores 14, 16 extending through the crimp. Each of bores 14, 16are for the purpose of receiving a portion of a wire or cable, and forretaining such wire or cable portion as the crimp is collapsed so thatthe bores 14, 16 collapse inwardly about the wire or cable portions andretain them with firm retention.

Crimp 10 also defines a pair of opposed ends 18, 20 through which therespective bores 14, 16 extend. Ends 18, 20 each define a pair ofcircumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges 22, 24 on one endand identical flanges 22 a, 24 a on the other end. Flanges 22, 22 a, and24, 24 a are respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp (andopposite ends of bores 14, 16 ), to permit the respective flanges torest against a bone B while providing spacing 26 for crimping jawsbetween a central portion of the crimp and the bone.

Each of flanges 22, 22 a, 24, 24 a defines a pointed tooth 28 forengaging bone B to resist slippage of the crimp relative to the bone.Teeth 28 can dig into the bone surface to a small degree, when heldagainst the bone under tension of cable or wire passing through bores14, 16, to eliminate the possibility of such lateral slippage along thesurface of bone B.

A central, external groove 30 is defined on the lower side of the crimp(in customary mode of use) as particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.Groove 30 facilitates the collapse of crimp 10 in the jaws of crimpingpliers, with lower crushing forces being required. Also, the oppositeside of crimp 10 may carry a shallower groove 32 as shown inparticularly FIGS. 1 and 2, to further facilitate crimp collapse.

Each of flanges 22, 22 a, 24, 24 a preferably defines a circumferentialangle about the nearest of the respective bores 14, 16 of about 30degrees to 90 degrees for example as shown by angle 34 in FIG. 1, theangle being measured from ends of the outermost periphery of eachflange. Upper edge 36 of each flange (as illustrated with respect toflange 24) preferably angles downwardly as shown from the upper edge ofcrimp 10, so as to keep the upstanding height of the crimp above bone Bto a minimum.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the respective centers 38 of each of theflanges (as illustrated in flange 22) are each positioned to one side ofa plane enclosing both longitudinal axes of bores 14, 16. It can be seenthat such a plane extends above each of the centers 38 of the respectiveflanges 22, 22 a, 24, 24 a.

Thus, by this invention, an improved crimp is provided which carriespreferably two lumens for receiving surgical cable or wires. Thepresence of the two lumens make proper tensioning of the surgical cablewrap around the bone easier, and also facilitates cutting off of thesurgical cable or wire adjacent to the crimp after the crimp has beencrushed, for retaining of the surgical cable or wire in a desiredsurgical wrap around a bone or the like. The nature of the particularwrap of surgical cable or wire incorporating the crimp of this inventionmay be as chosen by the surgeon and will generally representconventional techniques.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 7 and 12, crimping pliers 40 are showncomprising a pivotally connected pair of handles 42, 44, with each ofthe handles connecting to a pair of interacting jaw portions 46, 48. Itcan be seen that handle 42 connects with jaw portion 48 through pivots50, 55, while jaw portion 48 connects with jaw portion 46 through pivot72, and is integral with handle 44 (FIG. 12). The respective handles 42,44 are connected together by pivot 52.

Jaw portion 48 comprises a pair of laterally spaced crimp retainingprongs 56 defining a crimp space 58 between retaining prongs 56, plus arecess 60 for retaining crimp 10 as particularly illustrated in FIG. 7.Jaw portion 46, in turn, defines a single crimp gripping and crushingprojection 62, which is positioned to move toward crimp space 58 as thejaw portions 46, 48 are pivoted to a closed, crimp crushing position bythe squeezing of handles 42, 44. It can be seen that the laterallyspaced crimp retaining portions 56 are spaced a sufficient distance topermit crimp gripping and crushing projection 62 to fit between them ifjaws 54 are sufficiently closed by operation of handles 42, 44. Crimpretaining prongs 56 also define outer walls of the respective crimpretaining troughs 60, which may be considered a single crimp retainingtrough if desired.

Also, crimp space 58 is seen in FIG. 6 to be also defined by alongitudinally extending trough 64 in jaw portion 48. The width oftrough 64 is also sufficient to receive jaw 46, which comprises a plateof uniform, opposed, flat surfaces 66, which are spaced to fit intolongitudinal trough 64 and which define crimp gripping and crushingprojection 62.

Turning to FIG. 7, crimp 10 is shown to be carried in jaws 54 of thepliers of FIGS. 5 and 6, a lower edge of crimp 10 being retained bycrimp retaining prongs 56 so that the lower side of crimp 10 resides intransverse troughs 60. The other side of crimp 10 is held by grippingand crushing projection 62, the position of jaws 54 and crimp 10 in FIG.7 being that prior to crushing of the crimp.

In a typical surgical procedure, cable passes through bores 12, 14,extending out of both ends of the crimp bores and being involved in awrap around a bone of a patient or the like as part of orthopedicsurgery. The cables are pulled tight, so that crimp 10 is driven intocontact with bone B upon which it resides (FIGS. 1 and 4), followingwhich the crimping action is exerted on crimp 10 by pliers 40, while thecable remains under tension. Thus, the cable and crimp are forcedtogether into a unitary system where the cable cannot slip out of oralong the crimp, and crimp 40 is affixed on bone B. Then, free ends ofthe cables may be cut away from one end or the other of bores 12, 14.

FIG. 5 also shows a pivoted, auxiliary handle 57, which is provided toassist those with smaller hands to close the crimping pliers underpressure. Auxiliary handle 57 is attached to pliers handle 42 throughpivot 59 so that auxiliary handle 57 can pivot through a limited rangeas shown. Clockwise pivoting as shown in FIG. 5 is limited by anabutment 57 a, which presses against handle 42 when auxiliary handle 57is in the extreme clockwise position shown in the broken lines.

Thus, a small handed person has less of a reach when he or she uses theauxiliary handle 57 a to initiate closing of the crimp pliers againstthe resistance which may be afforded by a crimp. Then, when the crimppliers handles have closed further, the user may grasp handle 42 tocomplete the crimping process.

In FIG. 5, auxiliary handle 57 is of U-shaped cross section so that itcan fit around handle 42 in an extreme counterclockwise rotationalposition, so as not to interfere with the final closing of crimpingpliers 40.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, portions of the jaws of crimping pliers 40 aare shown, the crimping pliers being otherwise similar to the previouslydescribed crimping pliers 40 except as otherwise described herein. Inthe embodiment the respective jaw portions 46 a, 48 a are shown with amore rounded design than their counterparts in the previous embodiment,but the jaws are basically of a structure and function similar to theprevious embodiment. Crimp retaining prongs 56 a in this embodiment areless pronounced than in the previous embodiment, but still present toretain a crimp in position for the crimping procedure in a mannersimilar to that of the previous embodiment. Upper jaw 46 a also definesa crimp retaining prong 70 to retain an upper edge of a crimp within thejaws.

Crimp space 58 a is, like the previous embodiment, defined by alongitudinally extending trough 64 a as in the previous embodiment.

Jaws 46 a, 48 a pivot into open and closed position about pivot 72, fora simplification of the pivoting system from the previous embodiment.

Turning to FIG. 10, it can be seen that jaw 46 a is capable of fittinginto longitudinally extending trough 64 a (and the included crimp space58 a) for complete, strong crimping action.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, another design of jaw which isotherwise similar to that disclosed above may be provided where upperjaw 46 b is too wide to fit into longitudinal trough 64 b as defined inlower jaw 48 b. Either of the above designs of FIGS. 10 and 11 can beeffective in the various embodiments of crimping pliers in accordancewith this invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, a design for the pliers of this invention is shownhaving jaws similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10 but otherwiseapplicable to the embodiment of FIG. 5, and showing a new embodiment 57b of auxiliary handle similar to handle 57, while showing the jawopening and closing mechanism which is applicable to all previousembodiments. Pliers 60 comprises handles 42 b, 44 b as in the previousembodiments, which handles are pivotally connected to jaw portion 48 b.Jaw portion 46 b is integral with handle 44 b as in the embodiment ofFIG. 5. Pivots 50 b, 52 b, 55 b and 72 b are positioned in similarmanner to the corresponding pivots of the FIG. 5 embodiment, for similarpurpose. Crimping pliers 60 carry an eccentric ratchet member 70 whichconnects to pivot 55 b, being biased by small and large compressionsprings 67, 68 and carrying a ratchet 71 which is engaged by pawl 64,biased by spring 69.

The pawl and ratchet system 64, 70 requires complete closing of handles42 b, 44, when closing is initiated, in order to assure that completecrimping of the crimp takes place. Upon complete closing, the pawl andratchet disengage to permit opening of the handles, which system isknown in the prior art.

Auxiliary handle 57 b is present for a purpose similar to auxiliaryhandle 57 of FIG. 5, with handle 57 b being of a somewhat differentdesign. As shown, handle 57 b is pivotally attached to handle 42 b atpivot 65, being biased inwardly toward handle 44 b by means of spring 73to a maximum range as shown, where flat surfaces 74 a but each other toprevent further clockwise rotation of handle 57 b.

Projection 76 fits into aperture 78 a as auxiliary handle 57 b rotatestoward handle 44 b, to provide lateral strength and prevention oflateral motion between the handles in a direction perpendicular to thepivotal plane of motion shown.

The above has been offered for illustrative purposes only and is notintended to limit the scope of the invention of this application, whichis as defined in the claims below.

That which is claimed:
 1. A malleable metal crimp for securing a plurality of wire or cable portions together, said crimp defining a pair of separate, parallel bores extending through said crimp to each receive a wire or cable portion, said crimp having a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of cicumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp, whereby said flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of said crimp and said bone, said crimp having a first, central, external groove formed on said crimp parallel to said bores and between said flanges to facilitate collapse of said crimp.
 2. The crimp of claim 1 in which a second central, external groove is formed on said crimp parallel to said bores in between said flanges, said second groove being on the side of said crimp opposed to said first central external groove.
 3. The crimp of claim 1 in which said flanges each define a circumferential angle about the nearest bore of about 30 degrees to 90 degrees.
 4. The crimp of claim 1 in which respective centers of said flanges are each positioned to one side of a plane enclosing both longitudinal axes of said bores.
 5. A malleable metal crimp for securing a plurality of wire or cable portions together, said crimp defining a pair of separate, parallel bores extending through said crimp to each receive a wire or cable portion, said crimp having a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of circumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp, said flanges each defining at least one pointed tooth for engaging a bone to resist slippage of the crimp relative to the bone, whereby said flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of said crimp and said bone, and further in which a first central, external groove is formed on said crimp parallel to said bores and between said flanges to facilitate collapse of said crimp.
 6. The crimp of claim 5 in which said flanges each define a circumferential angle about the nearest bore of about 30 degrees to 90 degrees.
 7. The crimp of claim 6 in which respective centers of said flanges are each positioned to one side of a plane enclosing both longitudinal axes of said bores.
 8. The crimp of claim 7 in which a second central, external groove is formed on said crimp parallel to said bores and between said flanges, said second groove being on a side of said crimp opposed to said first central external groove.
 9. The crimp of claim 5 in which a second central, external groove is formed on said crimp parallel to said bores and between said flanges, said second groove being on a side of said crimp opposed to said first central external groove.
 10. A malleable metal crimp for securing a plurality of wire or cable portions together, said crimp defining a pair of separate parallel bores extending through said crimp to each receive a wire or cable portion, said crimp having a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of spaced, circumferentially extending, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp, whereby said flanges may rest against a bone while providing spaces for crimping jaws between a central portion of said crimp and said bone, said crimp having at least one central, external groove formed on said crimp parallel to said bores and between said flanges, to facilitate collapse of said crimp.
 11. The crimp of claim 10 which said flanges each define at least one pointed tooth for engaging a bone to resist slippage of the crimp relative to the bone.
 12. The crimp of claim 10 in which said flanges each define a circumferential angle about the nearest bore of about 30 degrees to 90 degrees.
 13. The crimp of claim 10 in which respective centers of said flanges are each positioned to one side of a plane enclosing both longitudinal axes of said bores.
 14. A malleable metal crimp for securing a plurality of wire or cable portions together, said crimp defining at least one bore extending through said crimp to receive a wire or cable portion, said crimp having a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of outwardly projecting flanges, respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp, said flanges being in circumferential relationship with said at least one bore, whereby said flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of said crimp and said bone, and further in which said flanges each define at least one pointed tooth for engaging the bone to resist slippage of the crimp relative to the bone.
 15. The crimp of claim 14 which a first, central, external groove is formed on said crimp parallel to said bores and between said flanges to facilitate collapse of said crimp.
 16. The crimp of claim 15 in which a second, central, external groove is formed on said crimp parallel to said bores and between said flanges, said central groove being on a side of said crimp opposed to said first, central, external groove.
 17. The crimp of claim 14 in which said flanges each define a circumferential angle about a bore of said crimp of 30 degrees to 90 degrees.
 18. The crimp of claim 14 which a pair of said bores are present in parallel relation, and respective centers of said flanges are each positioned to one side of a plane enclosing both longitudinal axes of said bores.
 19. The crimp of claim 14 in which a pair of said bores are present in parallel relation, and said flanges each define a circumferential angle about the nearest bore of about 30° to 90°, and the respective centers of said flanges are each positioned to one side of a plane, enclosing both longitudinal axis of said bores.
 20. The crimp of claim 14 in which said flanges extend outwardly from a crimp body which defines said at least one bore, said flanges extending substantially no higher than said crimp body while resting against a bone.
 21. A malleable metal crimp for securing a plurality of wire or cable portions together, said crimp defining at least one bore extending through said crimp to receive a wire or cable portion, said crimp having a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of circumferentially extending, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp, said flanges defining end faces which occupy planes transverse to the axis of said at least one bore, said end faces each defining a major area surface of each said flange which is of a greater area than adjacent flange surfaces which extend transversely to said major area surface, whereby said flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of said crimp and said bone, further in which said flanges each define at least one pointed tooth for engaging a bone to resist slippage of the crimp relative to the bone.
 22. The crimp of claim 21 in which a pair of said bores are present in parallel relation, a respective centers of said flanges are each positioned to one side of a plane containing both longitudinal axes of said bores.
 23. The crimp of claim 22 in which said flanges each define a circumferential angle about the nearest bore of said crimp of 30° to 90°.
 24. The crimp of claim 21 in which a pair of central external grooves are formed on said crimp parallel to said bones and between said flanges to facilitate collapse of said crimp, each groove being positioned on an opposite side of said crimp.
 25. The crimp of claim 21 in which said flanges extend outwardly from a crimp body which defines said at least one bore, said flanges extending substantially no higher than said crimp body while resting against a bone. 